Campus Vote Fellows Program
Students are already talking about the issues that affect their lives. Our fellows make sure those conversations lead to registered voters and votes cast, this fall and every election after.
DonateMeet the fellowsThe decisions made at the ballot box today shape the world young people will inherit.
Civic engagement doesn't start when someone turns 30 or buys a house. It starts now, on college campuses, in dorm rooms and dining halls. This year's theme, "Vote for Our Future," is why the Campus Vote Fellows program exists.
See the Program in Action
A short look at what Campus Vote Fellows do.
What Fellows Do
Every fellow is a student leader working on their own campus, where their peers already are.
Pledge Collection
Fellows ask students to fill out a pledge card with their contact information and the names of 5 people they know. The cards are mailed back to students, along with a text message reminding them of their pledge to ask their contacts to vote.
Site-Based Vote Boosting
Fellows ask students to remind 5 other people they know to vote on the spot. They also share information about voting, like when and where to vote, and talk about the policies they care about.
Pledge Follow-Up
Students who signed a pledge to remind 5 friends to vote receive texts with information about voting, along with a voter guide comparing candidates for key races on their ballots.
Where it Started in 2024
Citizen Action/Illinois launched the Campus Vote Fellows Program to increase progressive student turnout in the 2024 General Election in Illinois's 17th Congressional District. Teams of fellows did face-to-face, peer-to-peer relational organizing at Illinois State University, Western Illinois University, and Rock Valley College.
Illinois State University
Progressive campus precinct turnout was 93% higher than in 2020, outpacing turnout growth in the rest of McLean County by 64%.
Western Illinois University
Progressive turnout on campus precincts doubled from 2020 to 2024.
Our 2026 Fellows
Right now, a team of four fellows is working at Illinois State University in Bloomington-Normal, working on pledge collection, site-based vote boosting, and pledge follow-ups.
Next stop: Western Illinois University
This fall we're expanding to Macomb, reaching even more students across the state.
Help a fellow reach
more voters.
Every fellow needs resources: voter registration materials, event supplies, transportation, and outreach tools. Your gift helps them reach as many students as possible before registration deadlines and Election Day.